JPH10171091A - Processing method, rinse processing apparatus, and automatic developing machine for silver halide photographic sensitive material - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a a processing method, A rinse processing apparatus, and an automatic developing machine for silver halide photographic sensitive material capable of restraining occurrence of calcium precipitate as small as possible even in the case of using tap water of a high calcium ion concentration for rinse water. SOLUTION: The silver halide color photographic sensitive material is processed in the automatic developing machine through processes comprising at least a developing process and a fixing process and a eater rinse process, and as a water rinse vessel to be used for this rinse process, a type having tap water supplied from the bottom of the vessel is used and the silver halide photographic sensitive material is processed while stirring the water in the upper level of the vessel.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as a light-sensitive material or a light-sensitive material).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a silver halide black-and-white photographic light-sensitive material is subjected to processing steps such as black-and-white development, fixing, and washing with water after exposure, and a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material (hereinafter referred to as a color photographic material). After exposure, it is processed by processing steps such as color development, desilvering, washing with water, and stabilization. The silver halide color reversal photosensitive material is subjected to processing such as color development, desilvering, washing with water, and stabilization after exposure, black-and-white development and reversal processing.

[0003] With respect to such treatment, problems of environmental conservation and water resources have recently been emphasized. For this reason,
Large quantities (e.g., the photosensitive material 1 m ² per 4-20 l)
Methods have been proposed to reduce the amount of wash water used. For example, SR Goldwasser, "Water flow rate in immersio
n-Washing or motion picture film, "J. SMPTE, 6
No. 4,248-253, May (1955), and this method is generally applied to automatic developing machines for color photographic materials.

In an automatic developing machine for X-ray photosensitive material or photosensitive material for printing, an electromagnetic valve for washing water is opened for a processing time to supply washing water, and a device for saving water even if a little is used. It is being generalized. However, along with this, there have been cases where the processing performance is reduced. One of the major causes is that metal ions are mixed into the processing solution.

[0005] Various metal ions enter the processing solution through various routes. For example, calcium, magnesium, and in some cases, iron ions, and calcium contained in the gelatin of the light-sensitive material, are mixed into the processing solution through the water used in preparing the processing solution. In addition, the iron chelate used in the bleach-fixing solution splashes into the developing solution in the pre-bath and the ions impregnated in the pre-bath are brought in by bringing in the solution impregnated in the film. There is also.

[0006] The effect of the mixed ions differs depending on the ions and the processing solution. The calcium and magnesium ions mixed in the developer react with the carbonate used as a buffer, causing precipitation and sludge, causing problems such as clogging of a filter in a circulating system of the developing machine and contamination of the film processed. In addition, transition metal salts such as iron ions are mixed into the developer, paraphenylenediamine color developing agents and hydroquinone, black-and-white developing agents such as monol, and further, preservatives such as hydroxylamine and sulfite. Through decomposition, a significant decrease in photographic properties occurs.

Further, if a transition metal such as iron ion is mixed into a bleaching solution using hydrogen peroxide or persulfate, the stability of the solution is also remarkably reduced, and problems such as poor bleaching occur.

[0008] In the fixing solution, in the case of a thiosulfate fixing solution which is usually used, the stability is lowered due to the incorporation of a transition metal salt, and the solution becomes turbid or sludge is generated. As a result, clogging of the filter of the automatic processing machine causes a decrease in the circulating flow rate, resulting in poor fixing or generation of processing stain on the film. The phenomenon in such a fixing solution is as follows.
Also occurs in the washing water following the fixer, especially if the amount of washing water is reduced, the liquid exchange rate in the tank decreases, and the problem of thiosulfate decomposition called silver sulfide and precipitation of silver sulfide is extremely likely to occur. Become. In such a state, a fatal stain often occurs on the film surface.

[0009] In a stable liquid prepared using hard water containing a large amount of calcium and magnesium, bacteria are generated using these as a nutrient source, causing turbidity of the liquid and causing film contamination. In addition, when transition metal ions such as iron ions are mixed, these ions remain in the film, thereby deteriorating the storage stability of the processed film.

[0010] As described above, the incorporation of metal ions into the processing solution causes various harmful effects, and thus a countermeasure method has been strongly desired.

As a method for solving the above-mentioned problem, a chelating agent for masking metal ions has been used. For example,
Aminopolycarboxylic acids (for example, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, etc.) described in JP-B-48-30496 and JP-B-44-30232, or JP-A-56-97347, JP-B-56-39359 and West German Patent Organic phosphonic acids described in 2227639 or JP-A Nos. 52-102726 and 53-4.
No. 2730, No. 54-112127, No. 55-126
And the compounds described in JP-A-58-195845, JP-A-58-203440, JP-B-53-40900 and the like.

Although some of these compounds have been put to practical use, their performance has not been fully satisfactory. For example, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid has a high masking ability against calcium ions, but when added to a developer, accelerates the decomposition of the developer and its preservatives in the presence of iron ions, resulting in lower image density and higher fog. Causes deterioration. Also, for example, alkylidene diphosphonic acid does not cause such an adverse effect even in the presence of iron ions, but generates solids in a processing solution prepared with hard water containing a lot of calcium and causes a failure of a developing machine. Such troubles have occurred.

Particularly, in recent years, the amount of replenishment of a photographic processing solution has been decreasing in accordance with an increasing social demand for environmental protection, and accordingly, the residence time of the processing solution in a processing machine has been increased. Therefore, the deterioration of the preservability becomes a bigger problem than before. A countermeasure method for solving this problem has been strongly desired.

Accordingly, the applicant of the present application has disclosed in
No. 822 proposes a novel photographic processing composition which does not generate precipitation or sludge even by mixing of metal ions, and a method for processing a silver halide photographic material using the same.

According to the novel photographic processing composition proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 3-229638 and the method for processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material using the same, under normal conditions, precipitation or sludge The silver halide photographic light-sensitive material could be processed favorably without generation.

[0016]

However, in recent years,
Even with the use of the novel photographic processing composition proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 3-229638, when the automatic developing machine was stopped, there was a new problem that calcium precipitates were generated in the washing tank.

Therefore, the inventors of the present invention have conducted intensive studies and studies to find the cause of this problem. As a result, the concentration of calcium ions in tap water used as washing water has increased more than before, and as a result, a method using a conventional masking agent has been proposed. Just use
It turned out that it was not possible to prevent the generation of calcium precipitate.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material capable of minimizing the generation of calcium precipitates even when tap water having a high calcium ion concentration is used for washing water, a washing apparatus, and an automatic washing apparatus. It is an object to provide a developing machine.

[0019]

This and other objects are achieved by the present invention which is defined below as (1) to (4). (1) In a method for processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, wherein the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material is processed by a step including at least a developing step, a fixing step, and a water washing step using an automatic developing machine, the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material is used in the water washing step. The washing tank is of a type in which washing water is supplied from the bottom of the washing tank, and the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material is processed while stirring the washing water on the top of the washing tank in the washing tank. For processing silver halide photographic light-sensitive materials. (2) In a processing method of a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, wherein the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material is processed by a process including at least a developing step, a fixing step and a washing step using an automatic developing machine, after the automatic developing machine is stopped. A method for processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, wherein the supply of water for washing water replenishment to a washing tank used in the washing step is continued for a predetermined time, and thereafter, the supply of water for washing water replenishment is stopped. (3) At the time of processing the photosensitive material, a stirring mechanism for stirring the washing water of the above (1) is provided, and the stirring mechanism is stopped immediately after the completion of the processing of the photosensitive material, and a delay timer mechanism is operated.
A flushing treatment apparatus characterized in that the supply stoppage of the flushing water replenisher is delayed for a predetermined time. (4) An automatic developing machine equipped with the water washing treatment device of the above (3), wherein the carry-in amount of the pretreatment liquid into the water washing step is 60 to 180 ml / m ² .

It is preferable that the stirring of the washing water on the upper surface of the washing tank in the washing tank is performed by supplying the washing water at the bottom of the washing tank to the upper part of the tank.

[0021]

[Action] In the above study, calcium precipitates
After the automatic processor was stopped, it was found that the problem mainly occurred in the photosensitive material introduction portion of the washing tank. This is because the carbonate in the developer brought in by the photosensitive material increases the carbonate concentration in the photosensitive material introduction part of the washing tank, that is, in the upper part of the washing water in the washing tank, and this state continues for a certain period of time. It is thought that calcium precipitates will be generated when this is done. Therefore, the present inventors have found that, even if the concentration of calcium ions is high, if the concentration of a carbonate reacting with calcium ions is equal to or lower than a certain value, the generation of calcium precipitates can be suppressed as much as possible. It was done.

Therefore, in the present invention, the supply of tap water to the washing tank is maintained for a certain period of time even after the automatic developing machine is stopped by stirring the washing water, whereby the high carbonate concentration in the washing tank is maintained. The portion of the washing water in the washing tank where the carbonate concentration is high is eliminated by overflowing the washing water on the upper side, thereby preventing the generation of calcium while the automatic developing machine is stopped as much as possible.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a water-washing processing section 1 applied to an automatic developing machine used in the method for processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the water washing section 1
Is provided with a washing tank 11 filled with washing water W. In the washing tank 11, the photosensitive material after the development processing and the fixing processing is washed with water.

Water (wash water) is supplied to the washing tank 11 from a tap water source 15 via a valve 31 or a valve 32. The valve 31 is used, for example, when supplying a large amount of water at startup.
Reference numeral 2 is used, for example, when the photosensitive material is opened to supply a small amount of water continuously during processing, and functions as a replenisher valve. It is desirable to supply such water from the bottom of the washing tank as shown in the figure. Excess washing water overflows from the upper part of the washing tank 11.

Further, the washing tank 11 is provided with a washing water circulation path 40 having a pump 41 and communicating with an upper part and a lower part of the washing tank as an agitating mechanism for stirring the washing water on the upper surface of the tank. To some extent, such a circulation path is provided in a tank in the first development, color development, and bleach-fix processing sections for controlling the temperature of the processing liquid. It is preferable that the washing water at the bottom of the washing tank is circulated toward the upper part of the washing tank during processing of the photosensitive material by the circulation path 40. Or circulate in reverse. This dilutes and reduces the concentration of carbonate that has risen above the washing tank due to the carbonate brought into the washing tank. The upper surface of the rinsing tank refers to an upper half or more in the depth direction of the rinsing tank, but preferably means an upper 部分 or more part, more preferably an upper １ ／ or more part. . Further, the upper surface includes a portion in contact with the overflow hole, the liquid surface, and the liquid upper surface as in the case of shower stirring. In particular, when stirring with a circulation pump, stirring from the lower part to the upper part of the washing tank, more preferably, stirring toward the overflow hole is preferable.

The circulation amount of the washing water depends on the size of the washing tank, but is preferably 2 to 20 l / min. Alternatively, a level at which the liquid in the washing tank is replaced by 3% or more per minute is preferable.
The exchange rate is more preferably about 5 to 20% per minute. If the amount is too large, the chance that the components brought into the pre-bath from the washing tank overflow preferentially decreases. If the amount is too small, the effect is weakened. In other words, the optimal amount is about 1 to 5 times the amount brought in the previous bath.

FIG. 2 shows a washing tank 111 which is a modification of the tank shown in FIG. In the washing tank 111, the outlet of the circulation path 140 is positioned such that the water surface of the washing water W in the washing tank 111 is located above, and the outlet is a long shower generating member 141 as shown in FIG. And The shower generating member 141 has a shower generating portion that is wider than the width of the photosensitive material and narrower than the width of the bath. The generated shower water is used to wash the photosensitive material brought into the washing bath. The washing water after the washing is configured to fall into the washing tank, so that the washing water can be circulated. In addition to the above, the stirring mechanism may be of any type as long as it can stir the washing water on the upper surface of the washing tank. For example, a screw type may be used.

Next, FIG. 4 shows a washing tank 211 which is a modification of the tank shown in FIG. In the washing tank 211, as in the washing tank 11, the valve 31 or the valve 32 is used.
Water (wash water) is supplied from the tap water source 15 through the water tank.
Is provided with a control device 220. This control device 22
Reference numeral 0 denotes a delay timer or the like, which controls the valve 32 to be closed after a lapse of a predetermined time after the automatic developing machine is stopped. The predetermined time is set to a time sufficient for the washing water having a high carbonate concentration in the upper portion of the tank to overflow. The washing tank may be provided with a stirring mechanism such as a washing water circulation path shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and operated only at the time of processing the photosensitive material. That is, as long as the supply of the washing water continues to flow after the end of the photosensitive material processing by the delay timer, the stirring mechanism may be set to be stopped immediately after the end of the photosensitive material processing.

The washing tank as described above is used for processing of color paper (color development-washing-bleaching-washing-fixing-washing-drying, or color development-washing-bleaching-fixing-washing-drying), color reversal. Paper processing (first development-water washing-color development-water washing-bleach-fixing-water washing-drying or first development-water washing-color development-water washing-bleaching washing-fixing-water-drying), color negative processing (color development -Washing-Bleaching-Washing-Fixing-Washing-Drying or color development-Washing-Bleaching-Fixing-Water-Drying, processing of color reversal film (1st development-Water-color developing-Water-Bleaching-fixing-
It is particularly effective when used in a washing step after any development processing such as washing-drying or first developing-washing-color developing-washing-bleaching washing-fixing-washing-drying. Among these washings, washing preferably used for intermediate washing, and particularly preferably used is washing after color development at a pH of 10 or more.

This color developer has a high buffer capacity and a high buffer capacity.
This is because a large amount of carbonate is contained to make a pH solution. Therefore, a color developer containing 10 g / l or more of a carbonate is particularly used. In some cases, 10 g /
l It can be effectively used for washing after the reversal color developer containing more than l.

Further, the washing tank of the present invention can be used when the washing water is hard water and the calcium content is 30 ppm or more.
Especially effective.

The processing method of the present invention is preferably carried out using an automatic developing machine. The conveying method in such an automatic developing machine is described in JP-A-60-191257 and JP-A-60-191257.
No. 191258 and No. 60-191259. In order to perform rapid processing, it is preferable to shorten the crossover between processing tanks in an automatic developing machine. An automatic developing machine having a crossover time of 5 seconds or less is described in JP-A-1-319038.

When continuous processing is performed using an automatic developing machine according to the processing method of the present invention, consumption of processing solution components accompanying processing of the photosensitive material is compensated for, and processing of undesired components eluted from the photosensitive material is performed. In order to suppress accumulation in the solution, it is preferable to add a replenisher in accordance with the amount of the processed photosensitive material. Further, each processing step may be provided with two or more processing baths. In this case, it is preferable to adopt a countercurrent system in which the replenisher is poured from the rear bath to the front bath. In particular, a cascade of two to four stages is preferably used in the washing step and the stabilizing step.

The amount of the replenisher is preferably reduced as long as the composition change in each processing solution does not cause photographic performance problems or inconvenience of contamination of other solutions. The amount of the color developing replenisher is, in the case of a color photographing material, the photosensitive material 1
m ² per 100Ml～3000ml, preferably, 100Ml～
2200 ml, and in the case of a color print material, ²⁰ ml to 500 ml, preferably 30 ml to 3 ml per m ² of the photosensitive material.
50 ml.

The amount of the bleach replenisher is 10 ml to 1000 ml, preferably 50 ml to 550 ml, per m ^{2 of the} photographic material in the case of a color photographic material. In the case of printing materials, ²⁰ ml to 500 ml, preferably 50 ml to 3 ml per m ² of the photosensitive material.
00 ml.

The amount of bleach-fixing replenisher in the case of a color photographic material photographic material 1 m ² per 200Ml～3000ml, preferably 250Ml～1300ml, in the case of print material, the photosensitive material 1 m ² per 20Ml～300ml, preferably 5
0 ml to 200 ml. The bleach-fixing solution may be replenished as a single solution, or may be replenished separately for the bleaching composition and the fixing composition, or by mixing an overflow solution from the bleaching bath and / or the fixing bath. It may be used as a bleach-fix replenisher.

[0038] The amount of the fixing replenisher for color photography material, the photosensitive material 1 m ² per 300Ml～3000ml, preferably 300Ml～1200ml, in the case of print material, the photosensitive material 1 m ² per 20Ml～300ml, preferably 5
0 ml to 200 ml.

The replenishing amount of the washing water or the stabilizing solution is 1 to 50 times, preferably 2 times the amount brought in from the previous bath per unit area.
It is 30 times, more preferably 2 to 15 times.

In order to further reduce the amount of the replenisher for environmental protection, it is preferable to use a combination of various regeneration methods. Regeneration may be carried out while circulating the processing solution in the automatic developing machine, or after once removing it from the processing tank, subjecting it to an appropriate regeneration process, and returning it to the processing tank again as a replenisher. Good.

Since the metal chelate bleach in the bleaching solution and / or the bleach-fixing solution is reduced in accordance with the bleaching process, the bleaching solution and / or the bleach-fixing solution must be subjected to a continuous regeneration method in cooperation with the processing. It is preferably taken. In particular,
It is preferable that air is blown into the bleaching solution and / or the bleach-fixing solution by an air pump, and the metal chelate in a reduced state is reoxidized with oxygen to perform so-called aeration. In addition, regeneration can be performed by adding an oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide, persulfate, or bromate.

The regeneration of the fixing solution and the bleach-fixing solution is carried out by electrolytic reduction of accumulated silver ions. In addition, it is also preferable to remove the accumulated halogen ions with an anion exchange resin in order to maintain the fixing performance.

In order to reduce the amount of washing water used, there is a method using ion-exchanged water, but this requires too much running cost. By using the method of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the amount of washing water, and to effectively reduce the adverse effects of bringing a part of the washing water into the previous bath, thereby reducing running costs and labor. In some cases, the running cost can be reduced by reducing the temperature control cost and water supply cost by reducing the amount of washing water. The method and apparatus of the present invention can be particularly effective in an automatic processing machine in which a pretreatment liquid is frequently brought into a washing step, such as a leader belt type automatic processing apparatus and a chain belt type automatic processing apparatus. The pretreatment liquid is carried in by the photosensitive material itself and a leader belt for supporting and transporting the photosensitive material. 60-180ml
/ m ² is preferred. In addition, when a large amount of processing is carried out, even in a roller-conveying type automatic developing machine, liquid shortage becomes worse and the amount of liquid brought in increases.

In the color developer used in the present invention,
Contains known aromatic primary amine color developing agents.
Preferred examples are p-phenylenediamine derivatives, and typical examples are 4-amino-N-ethyl-N- (β-hydroxyethyl) -3-methylaniline, 4-amino-
N-ethyl-N- (3-hydroxypropyl) -3-methylaniline, 4-amino-N-ethyl-N- (4-hydroxybutyl) -3-methylaniline, 4-amino-
N-ethyl-N- (β-methanesulfonamidoethyl)
-3-Methylaniline, 4-amino-N- (3-carbamoylpropyl-NN-propyl) -3-methylaniline, 4-amino-N-ethyl-N- (β-hydroxyethyl) -3-methoxy Aniline and the like can be mentioned.

Further, these p-phenylenediamine derivatives and salts such as sulfates, hydrochlorides, sulfites, naphthalenedisulfonic acid and p-toluenesulfonic acid may be used. The amount of the aromatic primary amine developing agent used is the developer 1
The amount is preferably from 0.0002 mol to 0.2 mol, more preferably from 0.001 to 0.1 mol, per liter.

In the color developer, sodium sulfite, potassium sulfite, sodium bisulfite,
Sulfites such as potassium bisulfite, sodium metasulfite, and potassium metasulfite, and carbonyl sulfite adducts can be added as necessary.

As compounds for directly preserving the aromatic primary amine color developing agents, various hydroxylamines (for example, JP-A-63-5341 and JP-A-63-1) can be used.
The compounds described in No. 06655, among which compounds having a sulfo group or a carboxy group, are preferred. ), JP-A-63
Hydroxamic acids described in JP-A-43138, 63-14
Hydrazines and hydrazides described in No. 6041, 63
Phenols described in JP-A-44657 and JP-A-63-58443; α-hydroxyketones and α-aminoketones described in JP-A-63-44656;
It is also preferable to add various sugars described in No. 36244.
Further, in combination with the above compound, JP-A-63-4235
Nos. 63-24254, 63-21647, 63-146040, 63-27841, 63
Monoamines described in No. 25654, etc .;
No. 845, No. 63-14640, No. 63-43139
Nos. 63-21647, 63-26655 and 63-44655, polyamines described in 63-53551, nitroxy radicals described in 63-53551, 63-43140 and 63 −53
Alcohols described in No. 549, oximes described in No. 63-56654, and oximes described in No. 63-239647.
It is also preferred to use secondary amines.

Other preservatives include JP-A-57-441.
Various metals described in JP-A Nos. 48 and 57-53749, salicylic acids described in JP-A-59-180588,
Alkanolamines described in JP-A-54-3582,
Polyethylene imines described in JP-A-56-94349 and aromatic polyhydroxy compounds described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,746,544 may be contained as necessary. Particularly, addition of an aromatic polyhydroxy compound is preferred.

The amount of these preservatives to be added depends on the color developer 1
0.005 to 0.2 mol, preferably 0.1 to 0.2 mol per liter.
01 to 0.05 mol.

The color developer used in the present invention has a pH of 9.
Although it can be used in the range of 0 to 12.0, it is preferably 9.5 to 11.5. The color developing solution may further contain a compound of a known developing solution component. In order to maintain the above pH, it is preferable to use various buffers. Specific examples of the buffer include sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, trisodium phosphate, tripotassium phosphate, disodium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, sodium borate, potassium borate, Sodium tetraborate (borax), potassium tetraborate, sodium o-hydroxybenzoate (sodium salicylate), potassium o-hydroxybenzoate, sodium 5-sulfo-2-hydroxybenzoate (sodium 5-sulfosalicylate), Potassium 5-sulfo-2-hydroxybenzoate (potassium 5-sulfosalicylate) and the like can be mentioned. However, the invention is not limited to these compounds. The amount of the buffer added to the color developer is preferably 0.1 mol / L or more, and particularly preferably 0.1 to 0.4 mol / L.

In addition, it is preferable to add a compound of the formula (2) as a chelating agent to the color developing solution as an inhibitor for preventing precipitation of calcium and magnesium, or for improving the stability of the color developing solution as described above. . In this case, various chelating agents can be used as long as the effects of the present invention are exhibited.

As such a chelating agent, an organic acid compound is preferable, and examples thereof include aminopolycarboxylic acids, organic phosphonic acids, and phosphonocarboxylic acids. Specific examples include nitrilotriacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, N, N, N-
Trimethylenephosphonic acid, ethylenediamine-N, N,
N ', N'-tetramethylenephosphonic acid, transcyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid, 1,2-diaminopropanetetraacetic acid, hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid, glycol ether diaminetetraacetic acid, ethylenediamine orthohydroxyphenylacetic acid, 2-phosphonobutane-1, 2,4-
Tricarboxylic acid, 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-
Examples thereof include diphosphonic acid and N, N'-bis (2-hydroxybenzyl) ethylenediamine-N, N'-diacetic acid. These chelating agents may be used in combination of two or more as necessary.

These chelating agents may be added in an amount sufficient to block metal ions in the color developing solution.
For example, it is 0.001 mol to 0.05 mol, preferably 0.003 to 0.02 mol per liter.

An optional development accelerator can be added to the color developer if necessary. As development accelerators, JP-B-37-16088, JP-B-37-5987 and JP-B-38
No.-7826, No.44-12380, No.45-901
9, thioether compounds described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,818,247, and JP-A-52-49829;
P-phenylenediamine compounds described in JP-A No. 0-15554, JP-A-50-137726, JP-B-44-30.
No. 074, JP-A-56-156826 and JP-A-52-43.
And quaternary ammonium salts described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,494,903, 3,128,182 and 4,230.
No. 796, No. 3253919, Japanese Patent Publication No. 411-1143
No. 1, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,482,546 and 2,596,926
Amine compounds described in JP-B Nos. 3,583,346, JP-B-37-16088, JP-B-42-25201, U.S. Patent No. 3,128,183, JP-B-41-11431,
Polyalkylene oxides described in JP-A-42-23883 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,532,501, and imidazoles such as 2-methylimidazole and imidazole can be mentioned.

As an auxiliary developing agent, JP-A-56-64
No. 339, No. 57-144547 and No. 58-1154
Addition of 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidones described in No. 38 is also preferable for rapid development.

An optional antifoggant can be added to the color developing solution used in the present invention, if necessary. As antifoggants, sodium chloride, potassium bromide,
Alkali metal halides such as potassium iodide and organic antifoggants can be used. Examples of the organic antifoggant include benzotriazole, 6-nitrobenzimidazole, 5-nitroisoindazole, 5-methylbenzotriazole, 5-nitrobenzotriazole,
Nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds such as 5-chloro-benzotriazole, 2-thiazolyl-benzimidazole, 2-thiazolylmethyl-benzimidazole, indazole, hydroxyazaindolizine and adenine can be mentioned as typical examples.

The color developer used in the present invention may contain a fluorescent whitening agent. As fluorescent whitening agents,
4'-Diamino-2,2'-disulfostilbene compounds are preferred. The addition amount is from 0 to 5 g / l, preferably from 0.1 g to 4 g / l. Further, various surfactants such as alkylsulfonic acid, arylsulfonic acid, aliphatic carboxylic acid, and aromatic carboxylic acid may be added as necessary.

The processing temperature of the color developing solution in the present invention is 20 to 55 ° C., preferably 30 to 55 ° C. The processing time is 20 seconds to 5 minutes, preferably 3 seconds for the photographic material.
0 second to 3 minutes and 20 seconds. The time is more preferably 1 minute to 2 minutes 30 seconds, and in the case of a printing material, it is 10 seconds to 1 minute 20 seconds, preferably 10 seconds to 60 seconds, and more preferably 10 seconds to 40 seconds.

The processing method of the present invention can be used for color reversal processing. The black-and-white developing solution used at this time is a so-called black-and-white first developing solution which is also dispersed in a generally known reversal process of a color photosensitive material. Various well-known additives used in addition to the black-and-white developer used in the processing solution for the black-and-white silver halide light-sensitive material can be contained in the black-and-white first developer of the color reversal photosensitive material.

A typical additive is 1-phenyl-3
Developing agents such as pyrazolidone, methol and hydroquinone, preservatives such as sulfites, accelerators consisting of alkalis such as sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bromide, 2-methylbenzimidazole, methylbenzo Examples thereof include inorganic or organic inhibitors such as thiazole, and development inhibitors comprising a small amount of iodide or a mercapto compound. As described above, it is preferable to add the compound represented by Chemical formula 2 with a chelating agent, and a softening agent such as a polyphosphate can be used as long as the effects of the present invention are exhibited.

The processing solution having bleaching ability (to be referred to as a bleaching solution or a bleach-fixing solution) used in the present invention includes:
Contains bleach. Examples of such a bleaching agent include Fe (III), Co (III) and Mn (I
II) Chelating bleach, or persulfate (eg, peroxodisulfate), hydrogen peroxide, bromate, and the like.

Compounds forming the above chelating bleach include ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, ethylenediamine-N- (β-oxyethyl) -N, N ', N'-triacetic acid, 1,2-diaminopropane Tetraacetic acid, 1,3-diaminopropanetetraacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid, iminodiacetic acid, dihydroxyethylglycine, ethyletherdiaminetetraacetic acid, glycoletherdiaminetetraacetic acid,
Ethylenediaminetetrapropionic acid, phenylenediaminetetraacetic acid, 1,3-diaminopropanol-N, N,
N ', N'-tetramethylenephosphonic acid, ethylenediamine-N, N, N', N'-tetramethylenephosphonic acid, 1,3
-Propylenediamine-N, N, N ', N'-tetramethylenephosphonic acid and their sodium and ammonium salts.

In the processing solution having the bleaching ability, it is preferable to add a bleaching agent as a rehalogenating agent for accelerating the oxidation of silver, such as chloride, bromide and iodide. Further, an organic ligand which forms a sparingly soluble silver salt may be added instead of the halide. The halide is added as an alkali metal salt or ammonium salt, or a salt such as guanidine or amine. Specific examples include sodium bromide, ammonium bromide, potassium chloride, and guanidine hydrochloride, with ammonium bromide being preferred. The amount of the rehalogenating agent in the bleaching solution is suitably 2 mol / l or less, preferably 0.01 to 2.0 mol / l, and more preferably 0.1 to 1.7 mol / l.

The above bleach-fixing solution contains a bleaching agent,
It contains a fixing agent (to be described later), and may also contain the above-mentioned rehalogenating agent, if necessary. When the rehalogenating agent is used in the bleach-fix solution, the amount is 0.001 to 2.
0 mol / l, preferably 0.001 to 1.0 mol / l.

The bleaching solution or bleach-fixing solution needs a bleaching accelerator, a corrosion inhibitor for preventing corrosion of the processing bath, a buffer for maintaining the pH of the solution, a fluorescent whitening agent, an antifoaming agent, and the like. Will be added accordingly.

As the bleaching accelerator, for example, US Pat.
89858, German Patent No. 1290812, U.S. Pat. No. 1,138,842, JP-A-53-95630,
Research Disclosure No. 17129 (197
Compounds having a mercapto group or disulfide group described in 8), thiazolidine derivatives described in JP-A-50-140129, thiourea derivatives described in US Pat. No. 3,706,561, and polyethylene oxides described in German Patent No. 2,748,430. And polyamine compounds described in JP-B-45-8836, and imidazole compounds described in JP-A-49-40493.
Among them, the mercapto compounds described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,138,842 are preferred.

As the corrosion inhibitor, nitrate is preferably used, and ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate and the like are used. The addition amount is 0.01 to 2.0 mol /
Liter, preferably 0.05 to 0.5 mol / liter.

The pH of the bleaching solution or bleach-fixing solution of the present invention is from 2.0 to 8.0, preferably from 3.0 to 7.5. When bleaching or bleach-fixing is performed immediately after color development on photographic materials, use a liquid to reduce bleach fog.
It is good to use the pH at 7.0 or less, preferably at 6.4 or less. Particularly in the case of a bleaching solution, it is preferably from 3.0 to 5.0.
When the pH is 2.0 or lower, the metal chelate compound in the present invention becomes unstable, and therefore, the pH is preferably 2.0 to 6.4.
For color print materials, the pH range is preferably 3-7.

For this purpose, any pH buffering agent can be used as long as it is not easily oxidized by the bleaching agent and has a buffering action in the above pH range. For example, acetic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid,
Organic acids such as malic acid, chloroacetic acid, levulinic acid, ureidopropionic acid, pyridine, dimethylpyrazole,
Organic bases such as -methyl-o-oxazoline and aminoacetonitrile. These buffers may be used in combination of two or more. In the present invention, pKa is 2.0
Organic acids of from 5.5 to 5.5 are preferable, and acetic acid, glycolic acid or a combination of acetic acid and glycolic acid is particularly preferable. The amount of these buffers used is suitably not more than 3.0 moles per liter of processing solution having bleaching ability, and is preferably from 0.5 to 1 mol.
2.0 moles.

In order to adjust the pH of the processing solution having bleaching ability to the above range, the above-mentioned acid and an alkali agent (for example, aqueous ammonia, KOH, NaOH, imidazole, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine) may be used in combination. . Among them, aqueous ammonia is preferable.

At the time of processing, it is preferable that the processing solution having the bleaching ability is subjected to aeration to oxidize the formed iron (II) complex salt. This regenerates the bleach and keeps the photographic performance very stable.

The bleaching or bleach-fixing step is carried out at 30 ° C. to 6 ° C.
Although it can be carried out in a temperature range of 0 ° C, it is preferably 35 ° C to 50 ° C.
° C. The time for the bleaching and / or bleach-fixing process is usually from 10 seconds to 7 minutes in a photographic light-sensitive material, but is preferably from 10 seconds to 3 minutes. In the case of a printing photosensitive material, 5 seconds to 70 seconds, preferably 5 seconds.
The time is from 60 to 60 seconds, more preferably from 10 to 45 seconds.

Known fixing agents are used for the bleach-fixing solution or the fixing solution. These are thiosulfates, thiocyanates, thioethers, amines, mercaptos, thiones, thioureas, iodides, mesoions, etc., such as ammonium thiosulfate, sodium thiosulfate, potassium thiosulfate, thiosulfate, and the like. Guanidine sulfate, potassium thiocyanate, dihydroxyethyl-thioether,
3,6-dithia-1,8-octanediol, imidazole and the like. Of these, thiosulfates, particularly ammonium thiosulfate, are preferred for quick fixing. Furthermore, by using two or more types of fixing agents in combination, it is possible to perform more rapid fixing. For example, in addition to ammonium thiosulfate, the ammonium thiocyanate,
It is also preferable to use imidazole, thiourea, thioether or the like in combination. In this case, it is preferable to add the second fixing agent in an amount of 0.01 to 100 mol% based on ammonium thiosulfate.

The amount of the fixing agent is bleach-fixing solution or fixing solution 1
0.1 to 3.0 mol per liter, preferably 0.5 to
2.0 moles. Although the pH of the fixing solution depends on the type of the fixing agent, it is generally 3.0 to 9.0, and especially when using a thiosulfate, 6.5 to 8.0 is required to obtain stable fixing performance. preferable.

A preservative is added to the bleach-fixing solution or the fixing solution,
The temporal stability of the liquid can also be increased. In the case of a bleach-fixing solution or a fixing solution containing a thiosulfate, a sulfite and / or a bisulfite adduct of hydroxylamine, hydrazine or aldehyde (for example, a bisulfite adduct of acetaldehyde, particularly preferably , JP
-298935, an aromatic aldehyde bisulfite adduct) is effective. Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 62-14304
It is also preferable to use the sulfinic acid compound described in No. 8.

It is also preferable to add a buffer to the bleach-fixing solution or the fixing solution in order to keep the pH of the solution constant. For example, phosphate, or imidazole, 1-methyl-imidazole, 2-methyl-imidazole, 1-ethyl-
Imidazoles such as imidazole; triethanolamine; N-allylmorpholine; N-benzoylpiperazine;

Further, in the fixing solution, various chelating agents can be used. Examples of the chelating agent include 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, ethylenediamine-N, N, N ', N'-tetramethylenephosphonic acid, nitrilotrimethylenephosphonic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, and dichlorohexanediamine. Tetraacetic acid, 1,2-propanediaminetetraacetic acid and the like can be mentioned.

The fixing step can be performed in the range of 30 ° C. to 60 ° C., preferably 35 ° C. to 50 ° C. The time of the fixing process is 15 seconds to 2 minutes, preferably 25 seconds to 1 minute and 40 seconds for the photographic material, and 8 seconds to 80 seconds, preferably 10 seconds to 45 seconds.

The washing water and / or the stabilizing solution used in the washing step may contain various surfactants in order to prevent unevenness of water droplets when the processed photosensitive material is dried. These surfactants include polyethylene glycol type nonionic surfactants, polyhydric alcohol type nonionic surfactants, alkylbenzene sulfonate type anionic surfactants, and higher alcohol sulfate ester type anionic surfactants. Agents, alkyl naphthalene sulfonate type anionic surfactant, quaternary ammonium salt type cationic surfactant, amine salt type cationic surfactant, amino acid type amphoteric surfactant, betaine type amphoteric surfactant The ionic surfactant is preferably used as a nonionic surfactant since it may form an insoluble substance by combining with various ions mixed with the treatment,
Particularly, an alkylphenol ethylene oxide adduct is preferable. As alkylphenols, especially octyl,
Nonyl, dodecyl and dinonylphenol are preferred, and the addition mole number of ethylene oxide is particularly preferably from 8 to 1
4 moles are preferred. It is also preferable to use a silicone surfactant having a high defoaming effect.

The washing water and / or the stabilizing solution may contain various antibacterial agents and fungicides in order to prevent generation of water rust and mold generated in the photosensitive material after processing. Examples of these antibacterial and antifungal agents are disclosed in JP-A-57-157244 and JP-A-58-10.
No. 5145, thiazolyl benzimidazole compounds, or isothiazolone compounds as disclosed in JP-A-54-27424 and JP-A-57-8542, and trichlorophenol. Chlorophenolic compounds, or bromophenolic compounds, or organotin or organozinc compounds, or thiocyanic acid or isothiocyanic acid compounds, or acid amide compounds, or diazine or triazine compounds, or thiourea compounds,
Benzotriazole alkyl guanidine compound or 4 such as benzalkonium chloride
Grades such as antibiotics such as quaternary ammonium salts or penicillin, etc., from the journal Antibacterial and Antifungus Agent (A. Antibac
t.Antifung.Agents) vol.No. 207-223
One or more general-purpose anti-blur agents described in (1983) may be used in combination. Further, various fungicides described in JP-A-48-83820 can also be used.

In the washing water and / or the stabilizing solution,
Various chelating agents can be added as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. Preferred compounds of the chelating agent include aminopolycarboxylic acids such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid; 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid;
Organic phosphonic acids such as N, N, N ', N'-tetramethylene phosphonic acid, or EP 345172 A1
And a hydrolyzate of the maleic anhydride polymer described in the above.

Further, it is preferable that a preservative which can be contained in the above-mentioned fixing solution or bleach-fixing solution is contained in the washing water.

As the stabilizing solution used in the stabilizing step, a processing solution for stabilizing a dye image is used. For example, a liquid containing an organic acid, a buffer having a pH of 3 to 6, a aldehyde (for example, formalin or glutaraldehyde), a liquid containing hexahydrotriazine, hexamethylenetetramine, or an N-methylol compound can be used. If necessary, an ammonium compound such as ammonium chloride or ammonium sulfite, a metal compound such as Bi or Al, a fluorescent whitening agent, a hardening agent, and a stabilizing solution may be used as described in US Pat. No. 4,786,583.
And the like.

In the washing step and the stabilizing step, a multi-stage countercurrent system is preferable, and the number of stages is preferably two to four. When the present invention has multiple stages, it is preferable to use the first stage. The replenishment amount is 1 of the amount brought in from the previous bath per unit area.
~ 50 times, preferably 2-30 times, more preferably 2 ~
It is 15 times.

In the present invention, it is preferable to replenish not only the bleaching solution and the bleach-fixing solution but also other processing solutions with an appropriate amount of water or a correction solution or a processing replenisher in order to correct the concentration by evaporation.

It is preferable that the overflow liquid in the washing step or the stabilization step is flowed into a bath having a fixing ability, which is a pre-bath, because the amount of waste liquid can be reduced.

Examples of the photographic light-sensitive material include a conventional black-and-white silver halide photographic light-sensitive material (for example, a black-and-white light-sensitive material for photographing, a black-and-white light-sensitive material for X-ray, a black-and-white light-sensitive material for printing), and a general multilayer silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material. Materials (for example, color negative film, color reversal film, color positive film, color negative film for movies, color photographic paper, reversal color photographic paper, direct positive color photographic paper), infrared light-sensitive materials for laser scanners, etc. Can be.

In the present invention, any light-sensitive material can be used. In the present invention, the dry film thickness of the support of the color light-sensitive material and all the constituent layers except for the undercoat layer and the back layer of the support is determined by the color light-sensitive material for photography. 20.0μ for material
In order to achieve the object of the present invention, it is preferably at most 18.0 μm, and in the case of a color light-sensitive material for printing, it is at most 16.0 μm, more preferably at most 13.0 μm.

The swelling ratio of the photosensitive material of the present invention [(25
° C, average swelling in H ₂ O Thickness-25 ° C, 55% RH
Total film thickness dried at 25 ° C, 55% RH)
× 100] is preferably 50 to 200%, and 70 to 150%.
% Is more preferred. If the swelling ratio deviates from the above value, the remaining amount of the color developing agent increases, and adversely affects photographic performance, image quality such as desilvering properties, and film properties such as film strength.

Further, the swelling speed of the light-sensitive material of the present invention reaches 1/2 of 90% of the maximum swelling film thickness in a color developing solution (30.degree. C., 3 minutes and 15 seconds). When the time until the swelling is defined as the swelling speed T1 / 2, T1 / 2 is preferably 15 seconds or less. More preferably, T1 / 2 is 9 seconds.

A color photographic material or a color reversal photographic material for photographing (for example, a color negative film, a reversal film,
In the case of color reversal paper), silver iodide should be 0.1 to 3
Silver iodobromide, silver iodochloride or silver iodochlorobromide containing 0 mol% is preferred. In particular, silver iodobromide containing 1 to 25 mol% of silver iodide is preferred. In the case of a direct positive color light-sensitive material, silver bromide or silver chlorobromide is preferred, and silver chloride is also preferred for rapid processing. In the case of a light-sensitive material for paper, silver chloride or silver chlorobromide is preferred, and silver chloride chlorobromide having silver chloride of 80 mol% or more, more preferably 95 mol% or more, most preferably 98 mol% or more is preferred. .

Known photographic additives which can be used in the present invention are described in the following three Research Disclosures, and the relevant portions are shown in Table 1.

[0093]

[Table 1]

Various color couplers can be used in the light-sensitive material of the present invention, and specific examples thereof are described in RD No.
17643, VII-CG, No. 307105, VII
Patents described in C-G and JP-A-62-215272
And JP-A-3-33847 and JP-A-2-33144. Suitable supports that can be used in the present invention are
For example, the aforementioned Research Disclosure (RD)
No. 17643, page 28, and No. 18716-6
It is described from the right column on page 47 to the left column on page 648.

[0095]

The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to examples. Example 1 In an endless leader belt type automatic developing machine RPE-R201 made by remodeling a color paper automatic developing machine by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., a water washing tank (43 liters) of a water washing step following a color developing step was used. A modified machine having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 was used. The amount of the pretreatment liquid brought into the washing step was about 130 ml / m ^{2 in} total. As the photosensitive material, a silver halide color photographic photosensitive material which is a color reversal paper (Fujichrome paper type 35) was used. After exposing this silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material, it was processed according to the following steps. Processing Step Time Temperature First development 75 seconds 88 ° C. Water washing 90 seconds 33 ° C. Reverse exposure 15 seconds 100 lux Color development 135 seconds 38 ° C. Second water washing 45 seconds 33 ° C. Bleaching and fixing 120 seconds 38 ° C. Water washing 135 seconds 33 ° C. Drying 45 seconds 75 ° C.

The composition of each processing solution was as follows. [First developer] Nitrilo-N, N, N-trimethylenephosphonic acid · pentasodium salt 1.0 g diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid · pentasodium salt 3.0 g potassium sulfite 30.0 g potassium thiocyanate 1.2 g potassium carbonate 35. 0 g Potassium hydroquinone monosulfonate 25.0 g 1-phenyl-4-hydroxymethyl-4-methyl-3-pyrazolindone 2.0 g Potassium bromide 0.5 g Potassium iodide 5.0 mg Add water to 1000 mL pH 9.60 pH was adjusted with hydrochloric acid or potassium hydroxide.

[Color developer] Benzyl alcohol 15.0 ml Diethylene glycol 12.0 ml 3,6-dithia-1,8-octane-diol 0.20 g diethylenediaminetetraacetic acid 3.0 g sodium sulfite 2.0 g hydroxylamine sulfate Salt 3.0 g N-ethyl-N- (β-methanesulfonamidoethyl) -3-methyl-4-aminoaniline / 3/2 sulfuric acid monohydrate 5.0 g Fluorescent whitening agent (diaminostilbene type) 0 g Potassium bromide 0.5 g Potassium iodide 1.0 mg Water was added to 1000 mL pH 10.25 The pH was adjusted with hydrochloric acid or potassium hydroxide.

[Bleach-fixing solution] Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt dihydrate 5.0 g Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid Fe (III) ammonium ammonium monohydrate 80.0 g Sodium sulfite 15.0 g Ammonium thiosulfate (750 g / liter) 150 ml 2-mercapto-1,3,4-triazole 5.0 g Water was added 1000 ml pH 6.50 The pH was adjusted with acetic acid or aqueous ammonia.

The washing water was circulated from the upper part to the lower part by the washing tank pump in Example 1-1, and the washing water was circulated from the lower part to the upper part in Example 1-2. The replenishment rate of the washing water was 500 ml / m ² , and the circulation rate was 10 liter / minute. The calcium content of the washing water (tap water) was 54.4 ppm. On the other hand, an automatic developing machine that was not modified (that is, one without a washing water circulation path) was used as a comparative example. In this comparative example, the washing water was replenished in the same manner as in the example. Under the above conditions, the processing of the photosensitive material was continued.
After 3 months, no sediment was found on the rack. In Example 1-2, no deposit was found on the rack even after 10 months. On the other hand, in the comparative example, the precipitate adhered to the rack portion during the three-month running. The washing tank was drained from the bottom after work to prevent generation of water, and returned.

Example 2 An endless leader belt type automatic developing machine RPE-R201 produced by remodeling a color paper automatic processing machine by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. 2) A modified machine having the configuration shown in FIG. 2 was used. The photosensitive material, processing steps, and processing solution were the same as in Example 1. The diameter of the shower outlet was 0.5 mm.
When the supply amount (circulation amount) of the washing water was set to 3 liters / minute, no sediment was fixed on the rack even after running for 10 months.

Example 3 An endless leader belt type automatic developing machine RPE-R201 produced by remodeling a color paper automatic developing machine by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. was used in a washing tank (43 liters) in a washing step following a color developing step. 4) A modified machine having the configuration shown in FIG. 4 was used. The photosensitive material, processing steps, and processing solution were the same as in Example 1. When the photosensitive material is conveyed, when the drive switch is turned off to stop the drive of the endless leader belt, the replenishing valve of the washing water is closed. Under these conditions, when the replenishment rate of the washing water was 2 liters / min, there was no sedimentation of the sediment on the rack even after three months of running.
When the replenishment rate was 0.5 liter / min, the adhered matter clearly adhered to the rack part after three months of running, and the paper was scratched. As described above, when the replenishing amount of the washing water is small, a precipitate is easily generated.

Therefore, the replenishment rate was kept at 0.5 liter / min. However, after the drive switch of the endless leader belt was turned off using the control device (delay timer), 10 minutes later, the water replenishment valve was operated. Was closed, that is, the replenishing of the washing water was continued for 10 minutes even after the endless leader belt was stopped, and the sediment did not adhere to the rack even after three months of running.

Example 4 An endless leader belt type automatic developing machine RPE-R201 made by remodeling a color paper automatic developing machine by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. 4) A modified machine having the configuration shown in FIG. 4 was used. The photosensitive material, processing steps, and processing solution were the same as in Example 1. The replenishing rate of the washing water was 800 ml / min.

The endless leader belt is detected by detecting the photosensitive material immediately before starting to dry after processing and detecting that the photosensitive material has been discharged from the automatic developing machine and that there is no photosensitive material in the photosensitive material insertion port of the automatic developing machine. Was stopped. Then, the replenishment valve of the washing water is closed by the stop information of the endless leader belt. When an experiment was conducted under these conditions, the adhered matter adhered to the rack part after three months of running, and the paper was scratched.

Therefore, the control device (delay timer) was used to close the water replenishment valve 5 minutes after the endless leader belt was stopped, and the sediment adhered to the rack even after three months of running. Did not.

As described above, when the countermeasures of Examples 1 to 4 are performed, even if the amount of washing water is reduced by 10 to 20%, sedimentation does not occur, and water saving of 10 to 20% and washing water of 33 ° C. It is necessary to heat the fuel, and the energy for that purpose is saved, and the effect of energy saving can be obtained.

Example 5 The washing tank portion of the washing process following the color developing process of the roller transport processor CSRII-R3160 made by Noritz was remodeled as in Examples 1-4. Normal processing range (0.
(3 to 30 m ² / day), the liquid was carried in at 40 to 50 ml / m ² , so that no precipitate was found in the water washing tank at any time. Meanwhile mass treatment (50m ² ~200m ² / day) precipitate as in Test Example 1 to have precipitated the 1-
The same results as in Examples 1 and 1-2 were obtained. Example 2
4 was similarly remodeled, and a similar effect was obtained.

[0108]

As described above, according to the method for processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material of the present invention, precipitates can be formed even when tap water having a high calcium content is used as washing water or after a long running period. And the amount of replenishing washing water can be reduced, so that water can be saved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of the configuration of a washing tank used in the method for processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a modified example of a washing tank.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a shower generating member of the washing tub of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view showing another modification of the washing tank.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rinse processing part 11 Rinse tank 31, 32 Valve 40 Rinse water circulation path 41 Pump 111 Rinse tank 140 Circulation path 141 Shower generating member 211 Rinse tank 220 Control device

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A method for processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material using an automatic developing machine at least in a step including a developing step, a fixing step, and a water-washing step. The washing tank used is of a type in which washing water is supplied from the bottom of the washing tank, and the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material is processed while stirring the washing water on the top of the washing tank in the washing tank. A method for processing a silver halide photographic material. 2. A method for processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, wherein the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material is processed by a process including at least a developing step, a fixing step and a washing step using an automatic developing machine. A method for processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, characterized in that after the stop, the supply of rinsing water replenishing water to the rinsing tank used in the rinsing step is continued for a certain period of time, and thereafter the supply of rinsing water replenishing water is stopped. . 3. A washing mechanism for stirring the washing water according to claim 1 at the time of processing the photosensitive material, wherein the stirring mechanism is stopped immediately after completion of the photosensitive material processing, and a delay timer mechanism is operated to wash the washing. A water washing apparatus characterized in that the supply stoppage of the water replenisher is delayed for a predetermined time. 4. An automatic developing machine equipped with the water washing treatment device according to claim 3, wherein the amount of carry-in of the pretreatment liquid into the water washing step is 60 to 180 ml / m ² .